PAGE 18
May, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - NY
Automatic Fire Alarm or Is It? STAYING SAFE
Chief Henry Campbell
JEFFREY ARNOLD
Blaze Destroys House in Avon Avon, NY - Multiple fire departments from Livingston, Monroe and Ontario counties were dispatched to a house fire at 6693 North Avon Road in the Town of Avon around 10:30 P.M. on March 23rd. Fire units from East Avon arrived on the scene, found the home fully involved and a third-alarm assignment was struck, bringing tankers in from the Lima, Avon, Honeoye Falls, Livonia, Lakeville, Caledonia, Geneseo, Hemlock, West Bloomfield, Rush, Henrietta, Scottsville, Mendon and Mumford Fire Departments. There were no injuries reported, but several dogs inside the home were killed in the blaze. The cause of the fire was under investigation by the Livingston County Office of Emergency Management.
Governor Cuomo Announces $45 Million in Emergency Communications Grants Awarded Across New York Albany, NY - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on March 29th that $45 million has been awarded for counties across the state to upgrade critical technology and improve emergency communications systems. This funding will enable local governments to expand their ability to communicate, exchange valuable data, and streamline information through their systems to enhance collaboration and assist first responders. "In an emergency, every second counts," Governor Cuomo said. "This critical funding will improve the quality and efficiency of emergency response capabilities across New York, while supporting the brave first responders who put their lives on the line every day to protect their neighbors and their community." The State Interoperable Communications Grant, which is administered by the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, has awarded more than
JUMP TO FILE #033017112 $275 million in five rounds to 57 counties and New York City. In addition, 10 regional partnerships or consortiums have been formed as a result of this grant program. This represents an increase in participation of more than 50 percent since the program was launched in 2010. New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner John P. Melville said, "It is vital to emergency response to continually upgrade and enhance communications systems including 911 technologies. This grant funding allows counties and New York City to continue to make improvements to their emergency communications systems to help protect New Yorkers." Senator Thomas Croci, Chair of the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs said, "Our residents count on our
first responders having seamless communication during an emergency situation. This funding is essential for counties to improve emergency response and quickly respond to calls for help when minutes count." Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations said, "In an emergency, every second counts. When an emergency or disaster occurs, counties need a system that is faster, more flexible and resilient to keep up with communication technology used by the public daily. I applaud the Governor and my colleagues for passing this measure in the budget last year and look for to its implementation in counties like Erie County." To see a full list of the fiscal year 2016 State Interoperable Communications grant awards, visit www.Governor.NY.Gov - NYS DHSES
The other morning, as I was finishing breakfast and admiring the 22-inches of freshly fallen snow from two days prior, my pager opened, announcing for my department to respond to an Automatic Fire Alarm at a private residence. I pushed away from the table, bundled up, and headed for the location, which was less than a mile from my home. En-route to the location, an additional dispatch announced that the alarm company had called back, reporting an overheated pan on the stove. With the heavy snow plowed up on the side of the road, it made it difficult to spot addresses on mailboxes, which were covered in snow. As I found the correct location, a residence sitting back 200-feet from the street, the first rig pulled up. Three of us trudged up the driveway, rang the door bell and were met by the homeowner, who offered her apologies for having us respond to an unnecessary alarm. She explained that she was drying a large cast iron frying pan on the stove and had momentarily forgotten about it, that is, until the home alarm sensed the smoke and activated the alarm system. The homeowner had called the alarm company requesting they cancel the alarm and was advised that the fire department was on the way and couldn’t be cancelled. We explained how her alarm system works and how fire dispatch works in conjunction with her alarm system. The homeowner was most appreciative of our response and explanation as to why we continued our response to her location. We said our goodbyes as she continued to apologize, and headed back to the fire station. Our fire department, like many others, is dispatched to many AFA’s (automatic fire alarms) in our community, and as in many departments, we have members who tend to shrug off AFA’s with a negative remark, and others who may not respond to the alarm. The members will complain that the AFA’s are wearing them out, the constant crying
“Wolf” when there is no wolf, has an impact on them. Many years ago, fire alarm systems were found in commercial buildings, buildings of public assembly, institutional facilities, and where fire sprinkler systems were installed. Today, under the name Security Systems, they can be found in almost any type occupancy, including residential homes. The primary function of the alarm system is to detect and initiate the transmission of an alarm to a private monitoring agency, where it is then transmitted to the local 911 dispatch center. Fire, Police or EMS assistance, or any combination, will be automatically dispatched and once on the way, will not be returned by dispatch. Dispatch may transmit additional information, but they will not terminate your response. That will be determined by on scene investigation, or department policy. On scene investigation is always the best method. Maybe the occupant thought the problem was minor and had not noticed any fire spread. Cancelling response based on occupant call back may result in having to play catch up, followed by legal ramifications. There also are false alarms transmitted from AFA’s caused by a variety of reasons. The primary reason would be poor, or lack of maintenance. Dust in the detector head is common; blow it out with a can of air and the system is back in business. Every now and then, the system may malfunction for no apparent reason. If it is a continual problem, the system needs technical assistance to correct the problem. Many communities have local ordinances that levy fines after so many false alarms are transmitted. AFA’s are a part of the American technology age and they do make the job of firefighting safer by initiating early response to what may be smoke scares or incipient fires. Even I have a system! Definition of automatic fire alarm system: a fire alarm system which detects the presence of a fire and automatically initiates a signal indicating its detection. To be continued... Till next time, Stay Safe and God Bless!
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